Bill C-35

Canada Early Learning and Child Care Act

An Act respecting early learning and child care in Canada

Sponsor

Status

This bill has received Royal Assent and is, or will soon become, law.

Summary

This is from the published bill. The Library of Parliament has also written a full legislative summary of the bill.

This enactment sets out the Government of Canada’s vision for a Canada-wide early learning and child care system. It also sets out the Government of Canada’s commitment to maintaining long-term funding relating to early learning and child care to be provided to the provinces and Indigenous peoples. Finally, it creates the National Advisory Council on Early Learning and Child Care.

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-35s:

C-35 (2021) Canada Disability Benefit Act

C-35 (2016) Law Appropriation Act No. 4, 2016-17

C-35 (2014) Law Justice for Animals in Service Act (Quanto's Law)

C-35 (2012) Law Appropriation Act No. 1, 2012-13

Votes

Feb. 29, 2024 Passed Motion for closure

June 19, 2023 Passed 3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-35, An Act respecting early learning and child care in Canada

June 12, 2023 Passed Concurrence at report stage of Bill C-35, An Act respecting early learning and child care in Canada

June 12, 2023 Failed Bill C-35, An Act respecting early learning and child care in Canada (report stage amendment)

June 6, 2023 Passed Time allocation for Bill C-35, An Act respecting early learning and child care in Canada

Feb. 1, 2023 Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-35, An Act respecting early learning and child care in Canada

Debate Summary

This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Bill C-35 aims to establish a Canada-wide early learning and child care system through federal funding and collaboration with provinces and territories. It seeks to ensure affordable, accessible, high-quality, and inclusive child care, guided by principles outlined in the bill. A national advisory council would be created to support the implementation and goals of the act.

Liberal

Strong support for bill C-35: The Liberal speakers voiced strong support for Bill C-35, emphasizing its role in establishing a Canada-wide early learning and child care system. They highlighted the bill's potential to ensure that affordable, accessible, high-quality, and inclusive child care is available to families across the country, comparing it in significance to the Canada Health Act.
Affordability is key: Liberals emphasized that affordable child care is life-changing for Canadian families, enabling parents to afford necessities and increasing women's participation in the workforce. They noted the success of Quebec's early learning and child care system as a model.
Addresses labour shortage: Speakers argued the bill addresses the labour shortage by enabling more parents, especially women, to enter the workforce. They cited estimates showing a significant return on investment, boosting the GDP and providing economic benefits.
Protecting the program: Liberals highlighted the importance of the bill in protecting the national child care program from potential future cuts by other parties. They contrasted their commitment to the program with the Conservative Party's past actions, such as the cancellation of child care agreements in 2006, and what they characterized as current opposition to affordable child care.

Conservative

Not truly universal: Conservative speakers repeatedly emphasized that the bill does not address the needs of all families, particularly those in rural areas and those who prefer alternative child care arrangements. Several speakers noted that over half the children in Canada live in 'child care deserts' and would not benefit from the bill.
Lack of choice: Members argued that the bill restricts parental choice by prioritizing government and not-for-profit spaces over private and home-based care. They criticized the Liberal-NDP coalition for rejecting amendments aimed at including all types of child care providers and giving parents the freedom to choose what works best for their families.
Addresses wrong priorities: Speakers contended that the bill focuses on affordability while neglecting more pressing issues such as accessibility and availability of child care spaces. They highlighted long wait-lists, labor shortages, and the failure to address the needs of shift workers and families with unique circumstances.
Inequitable access: Several speakers criticized the bill for creating a two-tiered system where families who can afford more expensive care have more options, while those who cannot may receive substandard care. They expressed concern that the bill does not target lower-income families effectively and may even disadvantage them.
No strategy for workforce: Many speakers pointed out that the bill fails to address the labor shortage in the child care sector. They noted that the Liberal-NDP coalition rejected amendments aimed at supporting the recruitment and retention of qualified early childhood educators, undermining the long-term viability of the child care system.

NDP

Supports Bill C-35: The NDP supports Bill C-35, the Canada Early Learning and Child Care Act, and urges all parties to pass it. They believe this bill is an important step towards building a permanent national system of $10-a-day child care and enshrining the agreements into legislation so that future governments cannot easily reverse the policy.
Improved by NDP amendments: The NDP is proud to have improved the bill through amendments that include stronger reporting requirements, more inclusive language for children with disabilities and those from official language minority communities, recognition of the impact of working conditions on care, and upholding indigenous peoples' right to free, prior and informed consent.
Prioritize non-profit/public: The NDP supports the explicit prioritization of non-profit and public child care for federal funding, and hopes to stop federal money being used to expand for-profit child care. The party believes that public money should be invested in public institutions, because it is better for workers and children.
Child care workforce crisis: The NDP emphasizes the child care workforce crisis, with workers receiving inadequate wages and benefits, and enduring difficult working conditions. They assert that unless these issues are addressed, the success of a national child care system is at risk and call for a clear strategy to ensure an increase of those working in child care. Without them, we will never see improvements for generations to come.

Bloc

Supports the bill: The Bloc supports Bill C-35, despite concerns about federal overreach into provincial jurisdiction. They acknowledge the bill excludes Quebec from federal family policy for five years and provides compensation.
Quebec's leadership: The Bloc emphasizes Quebec's established and successful early childhood education model, which they believe should be recognized and respected. They argue the federal government should not impose conditions on Quebec, especially since the province's program is being used as a model.
Protecting provincial jurisdiction: The Bloc stresses that education and family policies are provincial responsibilities and opposes federal interference. They express concern that the bill does not adequately protect Quebec's right to opt out of the federal program with full compensation and manage its own policies.
Missed opportunities: The Bloc feels the bill should have incorporated Quebec's expertise and allowed the province to fully opt out with financial compensation, but amendments to that effect were rejected. Members expressed disappointment that Quebec's role was relegated to the preamble of the bill.

Independent

Accessibility concerns: The bill does not address accessibility and may not deliver on its promises. The $10-a-day child care plan does little to address labour shortages and the lack of child care spaces, potentially not helping families on waitlists or operators lacking staff and infrastructure.
Discrimination against women: The bill is discriminatory towards women, as it prevents growth opportunities for privately run female child care operators. The bill also fails to address how more women can return to work when there are no child care spots available and waitlists are years long.
Address labour shortages: There are not enough qualified staff to keep existing child care centers running at full capacity, let alone operate new spaces. Not enough students enter the ECE programs across Canada to support any growth, and it remains difficult to retain staff without the financial incentive to work in the field.
Need for inclusivity: The bill can be improved by making it more inclusive, deleting references to public and not-for-profit child care providers, and considering guidance for advisory council members to avoid conflicts of interest. Additional specificity surrounding the composition of the advisory council with respect to regional representation as well as representation by female entrepreneurs and those involved in the direct delivery of licensed child care services should be considered.

Green

Strong support for Bill C-35: The bill aims to establish a system of early learning and child care to promote the development of young children, addressing the need for accessible, affordable, inclusive, and high-quality child care.
Need to improve worker compensation: While supportive, there are concerns about the insufficient payment for child care workers, and ensuring that early learning and child care educators are recognized and properly compensated is critical.
Government gamesmanship: There is criticism of the government's use of time allocation and the broader parliamentary process, where partisan gamesmanship and the reading of prepared speeches detract from meaningful debate on important legislation like Bill C-35.

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Motion in AmendmentCanada Early Learning and Child Care ActGovernment Orders

May 31st, 2023 / 11:25 p.m.

Conservative

Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB

Madam Speaker, the universal child care benefit was so popular and so successful that the Liberals renamed it, claimed it was their idea and ran on it in every election that they have been remotely successful in.

Motion in AmendmentCanada Early Learning and Child Care ActGovernment Orders

May 31st, 2023 / 11:25 p.m.

Kingston and the Islands Ontario

Liberal

Mark Gerretsen LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (Senate)

Madam Speaker, that could not be further from the truth, because the reality is that the universal child care benefit that the Conservatives brought in gave cheques to millionaires. He talks about a one-size-fits-all approach. Nothing more clearly defines that than the universal child care benefit that literally gave the exact same amount of money to absolutely everybody, even those making half a million dollars a year. Of course, a Conservative would think that is a great program, because they are giving—

Motion in AmendmentCanada Early Learning and Child Care ActGovernment Orders

May 31st, 2023 / 11:25 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

Motion in AmendmentCanada Early Learning and Child Care ActGovernment Orders

May 31st, 2023 / 11:25 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes

The ones who talked about the heckling are doing the heckling on this side now. I would ask members to please hold off. I know the hon. member is able to answer that question.

The hon. parliamentary secretary.

Motion in AmendmentCanada Early Learning and Child Care ActGovernment Orders

May 31st, 2023 / 11:30 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON

Madam Speaker, of course a Conservative would get up and say that Stephen Harper's plan was by far the best, because it was, as they clap right now, the plan that literally sent cheques to millionaires.

Congratulations to the member opposite. He is absolutely right. That is a program that Stephen Harper would love, and I can definitely understand why the Conservative Party of Canada would get behind that program.

Motion in AmendmentCanada Early Learning and Child Care ActGovernment Orders

May 31st, 2023 / 11:30 p.m.

Conservative

Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB

Madam Speaker, this member is from the party that gave millions to Loblaws to buy new refrigerators; the government loves sending money to the rich and famous.

The Conservative government introduced a universal child care benefit that was taxable, which meant that those who had higher incomes had to pay higher levels of tax on the money they got. We can quibble about the amounts or the proportions—

Motion in AmendmentCanada Early Learning and Child Care ActGovernment Orders

May 31st, 2023 / 11:30 p.m.

Some hon. members

Oh, oh!

Motion in AmendmentCanada Early Learning and Child Care ActGovernment Orders

May 31st, 2023 / 11:30 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes

Order. We still have debate going back and forth, and it is not the time for that. I only recognized one individual, not two or three.

Motion in AmendmentCanada Early Learning and Child Care ActGovernment Orders

May 31st, 2023 / 11:30 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON

Why give it in the first place?

Motion in AmendmentCanada Early Learning and Child Care ActGovernment Orders

May 31st, 2023 / 11:30 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes

The hon. parliamentary secretary knows better. He should be setting an example in the House.

The hon. member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan.

Motion in AmendmentCanada Early Learning and Child Care ActGovernment Orders

May 31st, 2023 / 11:30 p.m.

Conservative

Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB

Madam Speaker, I must say that I am immensely enjoying this. I wonder if there is unanimous consent to extend my questions and comments for another five minutes.

Motion in AmendmentCanada Early Learning and Child Care ActGovernment Orders

May 31st, 2023 / 11:30 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes

Does the hon. member have unanimous consent?

The hon. parliamentary secretary has a point of order.

Motion in AmendmentCanada Early Learning and Child Care ActGovernment Orders

May 31st, 2023 / 11:30 p.m.

Liberal

Mark Gerretsen Liberal Kingston and the Islands, ON

Madam Speaker, the rules of the House do not allow, after six o'clock, I believe, for you to accept unanimous consent motions.

Motion in AmendmentCanada Early Learning and Child Care ActGovernment Orders

May 31st, 2023 / 11:30 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes

That is right, so the hon. member for Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan has 12 seconds.

Motion in AmendmentCanada Early Learning and Child Care ActGovernment Orders

May 31st, 2023 / 11:30 p.m.

Conservative

Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB

Madam Speaker, the members opposite may want to quibble about the proportions, but the point is that in 2015, when the Liberals formed government, their policy was to rename and adjust the proportions on a universal direct-to-parents subsidy. They took our policy because it was so popular.